Category Archives: Economic Development

DEQ, Montana Renewables settle; 50 percent of portion of facility certified tax exempt

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The Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Montana Renewables have settled a case regarding the company’s pollution control certification. The case was pending before the Montana Tax Appeal Board, but was settled in May. Montana Renewables, a subsidiary of Calumet Montana Refining, refuted the DEQ’s decision to certify eight percent of the facility as pollution control equipment, and thereby tax

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City approves 27 percent utility increase, discussing how those new funds will be used

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Great Falls utility rates will increase an average of 27 percent beginning July 1 after City Commissioners voted for the hike during their June 3 meeting. Staff annually review the water, sewer and stormwater rates, which were last adjusted in 2024. The city did not increase utility rates for three years during COVID. In April, city staff recommended a 10

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City approves annexation, zoning for 163 housing lots on east side

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City Commissioners unanimously approved a proposed single family housing development on the east side of the city during their June 3 meeting. Upslope Development requested annexation of 27.03 acres east of the intersection of Central Avenue and 46th Street to create Meadowview Village. The developer also requested planned unit development zoning to allow for smaller lot sizes in the hopes

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Some streets closed downtown for stormwater, utility improvements

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The city’s downtown utility improvement project is underway and 3rd Street South from 1st Avenue South to 2nd Avenue South is closed to replace the storm drain. The closure is a phase of a larger downtown drainage improvement project designed to increase storm drain capacity and reduce downtown flooding. This year’s phase includes work along 1st Avenue South from 3rd

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City considering code, policy changes for workforce housing development

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City officials are discussing possible adjustments to codes and funding mechanisms in support of workforce housing development. In March, representatives from Great Falls Development Alliance, NeighborWorks Great Falls, Home Builders Association of Great Falls and the Great Falls Association of Realtors presented four suggestions to commissioners. They wrote that the city can make housing development more appealing to developers by:

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City planning board OK’s Benefis senior living subdivision

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The city planning board unanimously voted during their May 13 meeting to recommend approval of plans for Sanavita Estates, a senior living subdivision by Benefis Health System. The project next goes to the City Commission for review. There was no public comment on the project during the planning board meeting. The property is located at 3015 18th Ave. S. and

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City approves property purchase for future stormwater pond

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During their May 6 meeting, City Commissioners approved the purchase of a 3.23 acre parcel for $374,000 for a future regional stormwater pond. The property at 5200 2nd Ave. N. is within the county with commercial zoning, functioning as an existing detention pond on a geographical low area, according to city staff. The purchase was initially on the April 15

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City considering utility rate hikes in effort to build infrastructure for development

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City Commissioners are considering a substantial increase to water, sewer and stormwater fees for the upcoming budget year. Commissioners have set a public hearing for June 3 on the proposed rates that, if approved, would be effective July 1. The action to set the public hearing was on the May 6 consent agenda and no commissioner commented on the utilities

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Residential rehab facility planned for Jasper Road

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Updated May 9 with additional information from the county planning staff report. Updated again May 13 with additional septic information from the health department. Healing the Circle Lodge has submitted a special use permit application to establish and drug and alcohol rehab facility at 2601 Jasper Road. The property is located in Cascade County and the company is working with

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Annexation requested for 67-lot single-family housing development

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The city is considering a request for annexation to create a new single family residential subdivision south of the main Peak location. The proposal for Peace Harbor subdivision from KIB Homes would create 30 single family lots in the first phase, with a total of 67 single family lots over two phases. The proposal is on the agenda for Neighborhood

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